Chiefs vs. Rams: Game Balls

The Kansas City Chiefs took cart of business in a must win game over the St. Louis Rams Sunday.

The Chiefs needed to win to continue to control their own destiny in the AFC West. They now lead the the Chargers by one game with just two games to play.

Kansas City will return home for their final two games of the season. If they win both, they will be playoff bound.

When the Chiefs win it is usually a team effort and that was no different today. It is time to hand out our game balls for the Chiefs’ 9th victory of the 2010 season!

Offense:Matt Cassel

I know Jamaal Charles had a ton of yards on the ground but Matt Cassel is the reason the Chiefs won this game. He demonstrated fantastic pocket presence and made more than a couple of beautiful passes. He showed incredible guts by getting back on the field a mere 11 days after having his appendix removed and there should no longer be any doubt about who the leader of this Chiefs team is.

Cassel’s only mistake came on an interception that, while squeezed into some tight coverage, likely wouldn’t of happened had TE Tony Moeaki not ran into the intended receiver.

The Chiefs needed Cassel to not only play but play well and he delivered. Cassel showed remarkable guts (minus an appendix), heart and passion out there today. Make room for me on the bandwagon boys, I’m climbing on.

Defense: Derrick Johnson

Kendrick Lewis has 3 interceptions and Wallace Gilberry had 3 sacks but it was Derrick Johnson who made all that possible. Johnson has not played well in a number of weeks but he showed up Sunday and looked like the player looked prime for a Pro Bowl appearance earlier int he season. Johnson flew all over the field Sunday, racking up 13 tackles and 3 pass defenses.

The Chiefs defense as a whole played well but Johnson had twice as many tackles as any other Chiefs defender. When he plays the way he did today, Kansas City is hard to move the football on.

Special Teams: Ryan Succop

I have to give this one to Succop despite a very nice day by Dustin Colquitt, who had 3 punts inside the 20.

Succop nailed two field goals and three extra points and was responsible for 9 of KC’s 27 points. Succop included a nice 53-yard FG. The Chiefs kicker has struggled somewhat this season from beyond 50 yards so it was nice to see him nail one, even if it was in a dome.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Chambers (for being alive) Wallace Gilberry, Kendrick Lewis, Eric Berry, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles